Here is a great article published on May 15, 2014 on the upcoming 2015 (U.S.) Reverse and Forward auction which will reclaim 600 MHz - 20 UHF tv channels for wireless communications. The 'voluntary' auction should be completed by 2018.

Just so I won't have to read the whole thing, are you saying they're going to reclaim 20 TV channels in the range of 600 MHz, or are you saying that they're going to reclaim 600 MHz of spectrum by getting rid of 20 UHF channels (which sounds wrong)?

Stations broadcasting above channel 31 will be moved to a lower channel frequency if they do not elect to relinquish their licence.

I wonder how this will affect markets such as Los Angeles and New York, which have very few open channels!

An antennaweb.org search for TV stations that can be received just south of downtown Los Angeles shows

Los Angeles, CA 90011Up to 122 channels from 34 over-the-air stations may be received at this location.

There are simply not 34 channels below channel 31, especially as, to my knowledge, Low Band VHF is no longer being used.

A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything."The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw

It is the independent stations that will be relinquishing their licenses back to the FCC for cash. Here is an article from the Wall Street Journal on WADL-38 in Mount Clemens, Michigan owner Kevin Adell, considering such a move. This would be bad news for viewers in the Windsor area with antennas. WADL is an independent station with three sub-stations including Antenna TV and the Word Network.

The FCC and its supporters begin their briefs before the U.S. Court Of Appelas (Columbia District) Dec 09 & 19. The NAB briefs are due January 13. Sinclair (the broadcast group which is, if you do your own research as I have, becoming the sub-FOX network) has joined the opposition claiming, for one, that the 39 month time frame for frequency transition is not long enough.[Link: broadcastingcable.com]

WMGM-40 (RF 36) loses its NBC affiliation at the end of the year; speculation that the new owner LocusPoint Networks will participate in 2016 Reverse auction.Note: LocusPoint is the new owner of WBNF-CA Grand Island which bought the station from TCT Network. It could mean that they could sell this station's license back to the FCC in the reverse auction, opening up this frequency for a Buffalo station currenly broadcasting above RF 31 (WGRZ, WKBW, WIVB, WNLO, WNYO, WNED). Would conflict with CHCH-Hamilton.

Next Step: Comments requested by FCC after voting 3 (Democrats) to 2 (Republicans) in favour on new auction rules. Stations that elect to switch to low VHF frequencies (2 to 6) will receive a greater incentive than high VHF channels (7 to 13).

Comments are due by Jan. 30, 2015, with reply comments due by Feb. 27. Next up is a Procedures Public Notice that will set final auction details and provide explanations and instructions to potential participating stations.

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